Photo* shows worker bee harvesting pollen and nectar.

2 HOUR VIDEO demonstrates how bees use pollen for
food, and how nectar is converted into honey...and much more.

(*courtesy of Dadant Supply Co.)

ADVANTAGES TO BEEKEEPING

by Dr. R. Iacobucci

1. Increased crop yields:

A worker bee will harvest pollen from only one plant,
such as apple, until it exhausts that supply. Other insects will flit from
fruit to dandylion, which does the apple tree no good. Hence, honeybees
are extremely effective at increasing crop yields. Commercial farmers pay
beekeepers to bring hives to their blossoming crop. The video shows how
to maintain healthy productive hives.

2. Honey Harvest:

Each hive contains 20 to 60 thousand bees. They convert
plant nectar into honey, which they store for a winter food source. The
beekeeper typically harvests 30 to 60 pounds of honey per hive per year.
Honey can be stored indefinitely, as it will not rot. It is excellent for
baking sweet treats. The video shows how to harvest the honey, and gives
sources of recepies.

3. Educational:

Bee behavior is fascinating. For example, a worker
bee can communicate to the other bees; the distance and direction from
the hive of a rich nectar source, by doing a "dance". The video
explains bee behavior and society.